Mom wants Celebrity. Dad thought he wanted Princess but is leaning toward National Geographic, and the kids are split between Royal Caribbean and Disney. So which one is really THE BEST for Alaska?

When a family brings me this question, I start by asking each person what it is about that cruise line that draws them to it. The reason behind the pick tells us more than the name.

Every cruise line is different, and in Alaska you can end up with a very different trip depending on which one you choose. Entry to Glacier Bay is limited by permit, so only certain ships and sailings include it, while others visit Hubbard Glacier, Dawes Glacier, or College Fjord. Roundtrip sailings from Seattle or Vancouver are the simplest for flights, and one-way sailings across the Gulf of Alaska can connect to a land tour into Denali. Large ships have more to do on board, and small expedition ships trade the shows and waterslides for naturalists, kayaks, and coves the big ships can't reach.

The cruise lines also have a lot in common. Most sail the same coastline and call on many of the same ports, and the scenery is spectacular from any of them.

So Mom might be thinking about the food and a quieter ship. Dad might want to get closer to the wildlife and the glaciers than a big ship can take him. The kids probably want the waterslides and the characters. Once we break the trip down into the parts that matter to each person, we can usually find the ship and itinerary that give everyone most of what they came for.

The same approach works when it isn't just your family. Reunions, corporate retreats and events, and friends planning a week at sea around a hobby they share all come with more opinions to balance, and more practical pieces too: a range of budgets, someone who needs an easy walk to dinner, and a place for everyone to gather. We still find out what matters to each person, then look for the ship and itinerary that serve the whole group.

This is where it helps to work with a travel advisor who KNOWS both the differences and the similarities, because those details shape the whole experience.

If your family or your group is having this debate, ask everyone what matters most to them and email me the list at keriann@spotlightcruiseandtravel.com. We'll find your best common denominator from there.